By Go Spiritual News Team
September 6, 2025
Today, September 6, 2025, India resonates with spiritual fervor as devotees celebrate Ananta Chaturdashi, a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu and marking the grand conclusion of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Observed on the 14th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, this auspicious day blends devotion, ritual, and emotional farewells, particularly in Maharashtra and Goa, where celebrations reach their peak.
The Significance of Ananta Chaturdashi
The term “Ananta” signifies the infinite, eternal nature of Lord Vishnu, who is believed to rest on the cosmic serpent Ananta Shesha in the Ksheersagar (Ocean of Milk). Devotees observe the Ananta Vrat, a fast believed to wash away sins, bring prosperity, and offer protection from misfortunes. The festival also holds special significance for those seeking relief from Kaal Sarpa Dosha, a planetary affliction, through prayers to Lord Vishnu and Ananta Shesha.
This day is equally significant for Jains, marking the final day of the Daslakshan Parv, a ten-day period of spiritual reflection. It commemorates the nirvana of Vasupujya, the 12th Tirthankara, with the following day observed as Kshamavani, a time for seeking forgiveness.
The Legend of Sushila and Kaundinya
A cherished tale from the Mahabharata underscores the festival’s spiritual weight. Sushila, a Brahmin’s daughter, joined women worshipping Lord Ananta by a riverbank, tying a 14-knotted sacred thread, the Ananta Sutra, to her wrist. Her husband, Sage Kaundinya, skeptical of its divine power, burned the thread, believing their prosperity stemmed from his efforts alone. Misfortune soon followed—poverty struck, their home burned, and neighbors turned away. Repentant, Kaundinya sought Lord Ananta, who appeared as a Brahmin and instructed him to observe the Ananta Vrat for 14 years. Through devotion, their fortunes were restored, emphasizing the power of faith and discipline.
Another legend connects the festival to the Pandavas, who, after losing their kingdom, were advised by Lord Krishna to observe the Ananta Vrat to reclaim their glory, reinforcing the festival’s promise of divine restoration.
Rituals and Traditions
The Ananta Chaturdashi rituals are steeped in devotion:
- Morning Bath and Preparation: Devotees begin with a holy bath and wear clean traditional attire.
- Puja Setup: A wooden plank is covered with yellow cloth, marked with 14 tilaks (vermilion strips). Offerings of 14 puris, 14 malpuas (sweets), and kheer are placed on the tilaks.
- Panchamrit Offering: Symbolizing the Ksheersagar, Panchamrit (a mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) is offered to Lord Vishnu.
- Ananta Sutra: A sacred thread with 14 knots, representing Vishnu’s 14 worlds, is dipped in Panchamrit five times, colored with turmeric and kumkum, and tied on the right arm (men) or left arm (women). This thread is worn for 14 days.
- Fasting and Prayers: Devotees observe a fast, recite the Ananta Vrat Katha, and chant mantras like Om Vishnave Namah to seek blessings.
The day is also renowned for Ganesh Visarjan, the emotional immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idols in water bodies, symbolizing his return to Kailash Parvat. Streets come alive with processions, chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!” (Come back soon next year!), and vibrant music, particularly in Maharashtra.
Puja Muhurat for 2025
According to the Hindu calendar, the Chaturdashi Tithi begins at 3:12 AM on September 6 and ends at 1:41 AM on September 7. The puja muhurat, ideal for rituals, spans from 6:02 AM on September 6 to 1:41 AM on September 7, offering ample time for devotees to perform their prayers.
A Day of Spiritual and Cultural Unity
Ananta Chaturdashi beautifully intertwines devotion to Lord Vishnu with the farewell to Lord Ganesha, embodying themes of renewal, faith, and impermanence. For students, starting studies on this day is believed to bring wisdom, while families and businesses pray for prosperity and harmony. The act of tying the Ananta Sutra fosters a sense of spiritual unity, symbolizing an eternal bond with the divine.
As devotees across India immerse Ganesha idols and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, Ananta Chaturdashi 2025 stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition. Whether through fasting, chanting, or vibrant processions, this day invites all to seek divine blessings for a life of abundance and peace.
Go Spiritual News Magazine & App wishes everyone a blessed Ananta Chaturdashi filled with devotion, joy, and spiritual fulfillment.
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